What happens when you fall on one of these.......


Ok...so I just realized that these pictures don't look like much, but yesterday Davis was playing on daddy's spin bike and I kept telling him to get off. Of course, he slipped and fell and nailed his head right on the pedal. It was so sad! When he stood up, there was the perfect indent of the pedal right on this forehead. When you realize what it is, it's kinda funny!

The Lake

So someone asked me a while back if I had anything to post about besides my kids. Umm....let me think about that for a sec...NOPE! LOL... I don't know if they were annoyed or just inquisitive, but none-the-less, this stay-at-home mom to 3 energy suckers 4 yrs and under doesn't have another wild life on the side, nor the energy/time to actually have one! I remember thinking I would NEVER, ever, ever be able to stay home more than 2 days in a row....and that was pushing it! Well I'll be dog-gone......I've turned a new leaf! I can do 3 days no problemo! (that's "no problem" for those of you who live in a city where English isn't the 2nd language). haha Plus, I don't remember how to have an adult conversation anymore, so I may be a bit of a bore anyway. I might start asking repetitive questions that begin and end with "Why?" Why?" "Why?" I could possibly jazz it up with a "What's that?" But then I'd follow it up with a "Why?" =)

Anyway, so this weekend our Sunday School class had a day at the Lake and we had a quick worship service, bbq'd, had lots of yummy junk food, good conversation and skiing/tubing! It was a perfectly beautiful day and there was a good turnout of families. There just happens to be quite a few sweet young girls in our class that were all fighting over holding Emma. It's pretty cute. I'm gonna have them all come over to my house and then they can fight over her all they want. All day long. No, really...I am. I don't think they'll notice if I slip out for a few hours or take a quick nap either! =) Now if could only get them to fight over the other 2, I may have a whole day to myself! Whoo Hoo!

I was only going to stay for about a hour and ended up staying the whole day. Emma gets an award for the best baby ever without a nap. She was a trooper! She did sneak in about 20 minutes right at the end of the day in Daddy's arms. Nothing like a nap in Daddy's arms, that's for sure. I won't ever forget falling asleep on my dad's arms riding in his truck..they were the best!

Here's a few pictures I took. I didn't take many, but the one's of Davis are pretty funny. And that's pretty much what he did all day. Remember how I told you he was sneaky, sneaky? I was a bad mommy and didn't really monitor (well, I sorta monitored but just didn't battle it out) all the junk he and Maddy ate. And did they ever. Cookies, cake, rice krispies, chips, chips and more chips. Oh..and a bite of hot dog for some protein. And soda. Mmmm......I'm a bit scared of taking them to the dentist! But, uh...next time I think I'll be a bit on top of things more since Maddy threw up in the evening after going to bed. Lots and lots of junk food + lots of sun on a 4 yr old=barfing in mommy and daddy's bed. Ahhhh...the joys of mommyhood! LOL.... Oh...and I didn't monitor too strickly (is that a word? why?) how much she drank before going nighty nighty in our bed and John & I both rolled over onto something very, very wet..... EEWWW!


Nice "background" ey? lol..
Handsome hubby holding sweet baby girl...

And here it is.... he was very quiet...a bit off to himself, while we were all listening to the service...
Oh..and notice his shirt? It says AWESOME with an arrow pointing up. LOL...love it! I'm surprised his daddy doesn't have one of those!

You Can Take the Girl Out of the Country.....

So I grew up in a small town where agricultural things were the norm. Being surrounded by fields, farms, groves and such was just the way things were. I didn't give it a second thought about having horses, cows, sheep, pigs, rabbits, dogs, cats.... Or a garden of all sorts of flowers, every imaginable vegetable and trees that grew pecans, walnuts, lemons, oranges, cherries (hated picking them!), avocados (oh how I wish I would have liked them as a kid!), persimmons, kumquats, pistachios, and more! Most of my friends didn't have that, but it wasn't unusual to them that I did. The chores that came along with it kinda stunk (literally and figuratively....hahaha!), but I guess my sister and I were cheap labor....

I did think it was a bit different, and very cool, that my dad was a large animal vet who's clinic was on the same property as our house. It was a family business and I was exposed to so many awesome experiences. I loved it as a kid, but now I appreciate it so much and ache for my kids to know the life that I had and for them to see their Grandpa in action. It makes me sad that the experiences I had on a daily basis will only be stories that their crazy mama tells them. And that they will get tired of hearing. I hope to somehow let them experience a tiny bit of what is close to my heart.

So I now I live in a bigger town...not a city like LA is a city (YUCK!) but close enough to LA that life here is much different than the town I grew up in. In some ways it's so much better, but there is a part of me that will always be a "country" girl at heart.

All this to say that recently I stumbled upon a web site originally for photography tips, but I found a lady who I can relate to in a way that takes me back to the life I once knew and makes me miss it so much. I spent 2 days doing not much more than reading her web site and cracking up at all the funny things she says and totally just "getting it." I love her! I sorta turned "stockerish" for those 2 days because I could swear we'd be instant, good friends.... sipping coffee and talking non-stop swapping stories.... and I wanted to send her an e-mail to let her know, knowing that she'd be so excited to have found a new friend over the internet.....but then I realized that would probably be kinda creepy of me, so I've backed off a bit. But don't think I don't check out her site once a day! =)

Anyway, it's an awesome site and you should check it out to..... Her name is Ree and she's "The Pioneer Woman."

Did I mention that I love her site?!

Puppies

Puppies are on the way!

Pictures

From our crazy Canadian family......

Maddy wanted me to post these:

The Many Faces Of......

The Jumperoo

In the nursery at church, they have this "Jumperoo" thing (sorta like the Johnny Jumpers that fit over a doorway but it's stationary) that Davis used to LOVE and now Emma does too. At home, we have an exersaucer that she likes to play in, but she often gets confused and thinks it's suppose to bounce too. But it doesn't. But she tries. She tries really hard to make it bounce. !! (LOL...It's super funny in person and probably doesn't look that funny in this video, but neither are you.....Oops....did that slip out? I mean, but I know the grandparents will appreciate it). =)

Oops...

Oops....accidentially posted this on my 366 blog instead of this one....

Maddy woke up today and the first thing she said to me was......"MOM....do you know what day it is today!!!?" =) She said it like it was Christmas or something....

8 Months

Before Maddy walked into the room....

Emma is 8 months today and didn't feel like smiling very much for mommy.....and I didn't feel like taking too much time to get a good picture. She's been more serious lately than usual, but when her brother or sister walk in, she's all smiles! She has 2 bottom teeth, is crawling, although not too fast, and is pretty much sitting up. She doesn't have too much to say except a few funny noises and the occasional "mama." Maybe she'll be our quiet one!? I know she weighs about 17.5 lbs but her 8 month check up isn't until next month.

After Maddy walked into the room....

Another Blog

http://366longdays.blogspot.com/

My favorite pictures.....

My Little Ballerinas

So a bit over a week ago my little ballerina Emma came down with a teeny cough. Last Tues, in a matter of hours, her breathing began to change from normal to more labored. Of course, it was evening so I spoke to the on call pediatrician, who felt that since she had no other symptoms (she had no fever, was happy, eating okay, etc) she would be okay with a humidifier and some rest. The next morning, her breathing was even more labored and wheezy so I got her in to her doctor. I don't ever want to be one of those moms that over-reacts to every little thing and was hoping I wasn't wasting anyones time by taking her in. But the second her doctor walked in the room, she was alarmed at how bad she was, how low her oxygen levels were and started a little breathing treatment right away, gave her steroid shots, etc. Unfortunately the next day Emma was worse and, long story short, I spent 3 days in a row at my pediatricians office where the doctor spent 2 hours each day treating Emma before they would let her go home. On Thursday the doctor was going to admit Emma into the hospital but thankfully was able to stabilize her enough to be able to go home.

The doctor wanted me to continue the treatments every few hours at home and I was suppose to go to Oxnard for a Women's Retreat with my church. It was hard for me to leave, but thankfully John was with her and continued her treatments at home and when I returned she had improved SO much. I just returned from the doctor today for a re-check and am so excited to say that Emma's lungs are clear and sound 100% normal. YEAH! My pediatrician was awesome and told me that she really thought Emma was going to need to go to the hospital, but I'm praising the Lord that she didn't! It's so not fun to see someone so little struggle. Yeah for Emma!


So my other little ballerina Madelyn has been in Awana and just completed her first year. John teaches a group of jr. high boys and Maddy & Daddy go together on Monday nights. They just had a little "award ceremony" and are off for the summer.


Maddy also LOVES to dance and dress up and has been asking me to take her to a "Ballerina class." Her little ballet outfit is pretty much her daily uniform unless we are going out. A new dance studio opened up just down the street so I decided to take her in for a trial class to see how she did. (I had put her in a soccer class about a year ago and it didn't go so smoothly. I hated it!) She's been counting down the days and trying to be on her best behavior and today was the day. She LOVED it and smiled & giggled NON stop the whole time! It was adorable..... I don't know what part she loved the most (in addition to the huge mirrors so she could check herself out!), but it was a combo class that did ballet, tap and free dance. She won't stop asking me if she can go back tomorrow. =) Guess I have to take her back now.....

I'm also so so excited becuase I just found out that Maddy was accepted to our church's little co-op preschool program. Lately Maddy seems so much older to me and I've been thinking that I didn't want her to go to preschool 3 days a week. Huge shocker, I know!! I'm surprised at myself! I've been waiting for a little break from my strong-willed ballerina for a long time but as it was getting closer for her to go, it hit me just how short of a time she's at home with me before school starts. I was struggling with doing preschool vs not at all when I found out that Grace offers a co-op preschool 1 day a week. They accept only 25 students and the entire program is run by all the moms. We (the moms) each sign up for a job and do everything along with the students, except about 45 min during the lesson time, where we get to go off on our own and listen to a speaker or just talk. I'm in charge of the Welcome Table and don't really know what that involves, but will soon enough. Plus, once a month, they take the kids on a field trip. Should be fun... actually, I can't WAIT! It's at the church and they even offer nursery for the younger kids. And Maddy is so excited that it's something special for just the two of us without distractions from the other 2. She loves that attention! =)

My "other ballerina" Davis is doing well and becoming secure in his manhood by enjoying dressing up with his sister and trying to join her dance class, yet being SUCH a boy and getting plenty dirty outside & throwing rocks over to our neighbor's house. You'll have to check out the short video clip of him on my sisters blog in a petticoat skirt at the beach. When we were taking pictures, the photographer had brought the skirts (my favorite!) for the girls but Davis REALLY wanted to wear one and LOVED twirling around in it! LOL....it was so funny (although John wasn't too happy about that!!)!


Happy Day!

One More Thing.....

I can't believe I forgot to say that I have been a HUGE fan of The Biggest Loser this season. It's the only thing I really watch (okay, except for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Tigger & Pooh) and it's the first time I've watched the whole season. I LOVED it and was hooked! I liked all the finalist (except for Kelly maybe) and they all worked so hard and looked great, but when it came down to Mark or Roger, I voted for Roger.....I really liked him! Anyhow, my sister spotted him at Disneyland and I spent about 30-40 min starring at every tall skinny guy that walked by me. No luck. =( I was so bummed. And then my sister ran into him again and stopped to talk to him. AUGH! I couldn't believe it.....and I couldn't believe I missed him. But she said he looked even thinner in person and was just as nice in person as he was on TV...along with his sweet wife and son. So, DeAnne, I'm living vicariously through you in this picture!

The Canadians Are Coming!

Well....that should actually say, the Canadians Came! For about a week and a half, my entire family was able to come out to California and stay with us. It was great! My sister lives with her family (hubby and 3 kids) in Canada and my parents live in Kansas City. I haven't seen my sister's family in almost 2 years and it was definitely overdue. They haven't been out to Cali since right after my wedding over 5 years ago too. Her kids (8, 5, 3) have never been to the beach, so that was a huge "must do" as well as Sea World and Disneyland.

The day after they got here, we went to Ventura for family beach pictures and it was such a beautiful day. My sister lives in a place where it's cold, cold, cold and they still had snow back at home. The weather was a nice change for them! We also went down to San Diego for 3 days (which, by the way, was HOT) and went to Balboa park, Sea World, took a harbor tour and played in the water on Coronado Island. Then we went to Disneyland and spent the night there for 2 days of exhausting fun! It was a great time and so hard to say good-by. All the cousins had a great time playing with each other and Emma was a champ too because it left little time for naps. As a side note, Emma is on the brink of crawling and has 2 bottom teeth that have broken through.

I have a ton of pictures and haven't uploaded all of them, but here are some...




.

Happy

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my amazing parents for surviving 39 years with each other!! Wow, that is incredible and I'm so proud of them for lasting (even when we all know marriage can be hard) and for being such a great example to my sister and I. LOVE YOU!

Little Miss Emma is 7 months old today. I was a bad mommy and didn't get a picture taken, but she had her 6 month check up (yep, we're behind) this past Monday and she is doing well, growing fast and weighs about 16 1/2 lbs. She's pretty much average on all things, except I think her height was in the 75th %tile...I think. And thankfully the hamengioma by her eye has not grown...in fact, I think it maybe a teeny bit lighter in color. She's a joy...most of the time anyway!

I've recently been turned on to a new blog that is an amazing, amazing story and I'm addicted to reading it....Check it out under my links....it's Nathan & Tricia

And just a little note to John....LOVE YOU. Thanks for being a great husband and father.

Precious

I love my family. You all are so precious to me and I'm sorry for the times I fail to show you how wonderful you are. I love you.

The Tongue

Tonight Davis and I were outside practicing his pedaling a bike. He usually doesn't have the time to learn such nonsense....he can just use his feet to push his hot wheels around and he's pretty darn fast. But tonight he was focused. Determined. And so proud. I was proud! He'd ride off and then look back as if to say "You still watchin' these moves mom?!" You can see by his tongue that he was in deep concentration in keeping those feet moving and pedaling.






Maddy & Daddy had Awana tonight and it was crazy hair night. Fun excuse to break out a wig and Maddy picked a blue one I've had forever. Madelyn couldn't wait for Daddy to get home and join in on the fun! Here she is posin' for me! Guess she's not too camera shy anymore. =)

Name Game

How Rare Is Your Name?

Go to this web site called http://www.howmanyofme.com

Put in your first and last name and see how many people in the USA have
your name as well.

There's only 1 Julie Quakenbush and I don't think it's me, since I'm not technically a Q anymore.

6 months!

Little Emma girl turns 6 months today! She is all sweetness and is in love with her big sister and brother. Maddy can get her to smile when she's super cranky...it's pretty cute. Actually, I need to record Maddy talking to Emma because it would melt your heart. Nothing but sincere love for her baby sister.